Friday

The Celtics' point guard will have a prominent role in the Eastern Conference finals against the team he watched growing up.

WALTHAM – He was only 9 years old and living in Ohio when LeBron James made his NBA debut with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Now, 15 years later, Terry Rozier is going to be playing a prominent role for the Celtics as they try to end James’ seven-year hold on the Eastern Conference championship.

Rozier has stepped in as the starting point guard to replace the injured Kyrie Irving, whose season ended on March 11 due to a left knee ailment.

After playing limited minutes against the team from his home state in the conference finals a year ago, Rozier will be counted on a lot more against the Cavaliers this time around.

Rozier knows all about James and the Cavaliers, having grown up in Youngstown, Ohio, and graduating from Shaker Heights High before moving on to Louisville.

“They sort of flashed back on him playing against the Celtics and all that stuff (on teleivision this week),’’ said Rozier after practice on Friday afternoon. “It’s all unique. I remember it like yesterday watching it with my friends, watching him play against the Celtics, watching him play and make his push in the playoffs.

“Now I get to go against him. I can’t put it into words. I’m excited. I want to compete and I want to beat him. You will always have that on your resume forever and that’s something I want to do. It’s a lot of fun, something I look forward to, we all do and we’re all excited about it.’’

Thanks in part to the play of Rozier, the Celtics are still alive in the playoffs despite dealing with the loss of key players.

He stepped into the starting lineup in March when Irving exited and continued to get better and has continued to improve in the playoffs, surprising observers around the NBA.

Rozier averaged 17.6 points, 6.7 assists and 4.3 rebounds in the opening-round series against the Milwaukee Bucks, then had 19 points, 7.2 rebounds and 4.4 assists to help defeat the Philadelphia 76ers in five games.

“I’m already self motivated, so I don’t pay attention to what people are saying,’’ said Rozier. “It’s too late. I wake up every day (saying), how can I get better? How can I help my teammates be successful? Things like that. I control what I can control and don’t worry about anything else.’’

Rozier said that Irving, who spent six years with the Cavs, has been helpful giving him tips. Irving may be joining the Celtics when the series shifts to Cleveland next week.

“He’s always going to be there for me to talk to, whether it’s something I can get better at, something I can see, things like that, me becoming more of a leader,’’ said Rozier. “I know he’s there so I’m going to use that to my advantage.’’

Hayward update: Gordon Hayward, who was injured on opening night in Cleveland, wrote on his blog an update of his rehabilitation process in Indiana.

“It’s all been going really well,’’ wrote Hayward. “I’m happy to report I’m feeling like an athlete again. I’ve been in Indianapolis for the last couple weeks making some really good progress. I leave the hotel every morning at about 9:30 a.m. and don’t get back (until) about 6 p.m.

“We do a lot of running mechanics, physical therapy, a lift of some sort, and then court work for another few hours. It’s a full day, every day. I’m definitely moving along as planned, and progressing really well.’’

Hayward sat behind the bench of the Celtics-Milwaukee Bucks Game 7.

Support for Casey: Celtics coach Brad Stevens expressed disappointment at the firing of coach Dwane Casey by the Toronto Raptors on Friday.

Casey, who could win the coach of the year award when it’s announced next month, led the Raptors to the best record in the Eastern Conference before they were swept by the Cavaliers.

“He’s a role model for a lot of coaches when you think about his great players got better and played great,’’ said Stevens. “His young players all got better. The second unit in Toronto was as good of a team and as fun of a team to watch as there was in all of basketball this year.

“And on top of that Duane is as good of a person as they come. I’m sure that people will be lined up to get him to coach their team shortly.’’

Injury update: Shane Larkin, who suffered a sprained shoulder in Game 4 against the Philadelphia 76ers, is probably out for the series. “He’s not going to play early in this series, for sure,’’ said Stevens. “I doubt that he’ll play anyways.’’ … The Celtics had only 10 players at practice because Abdel Nader suffered some blurred vision after being hit in the eye during a pre-practice workout.

Jim Fenton may be reached at jfenton@enterprisenews.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JFenton_ent.

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